To ask if Pilates is only for skinny people

[MrTrebus]

So background, had a baby 5 months ago, got 4 stone to lose but also feel really "stiff" and find it hard to move around too much I.e a long walk feels like I've pulled all the muscles/fat where my c-section scar is! And it then aches for a couple of days too.

I also keep pulling muscles in my neck, shoulders, legs etc and just feel like I can't walk like a normal non-pregnant woman anymore, still doing the pregnant waddle.

So Pilates was recommended to me but I know nothing about it, is it inclusive? Are fat stiff people allowed? Light hearted but seriously am I mad/ AIBU considering this in my current state?

I think you've been really rude to some of the other posters, OP, which is a shame as they had some valid points and advice.

Anyway....I am a qualified Pilates teacher and when I used to teach I had people of all shapes and sizes in my classes. I would say that if you want to improve flexibility then yoga would probably be better for you. Pilates is generally good for toning, and for helping with back pain and posture.

Pilates is great for back problems and your core although not necessarily for losing weight. I much prefer it to yoga personally. Make sure you either go to a post natal class or at least an instructor qualified in post natal Pilates. If you push yourself too much you could damage your stomach muscles and end up with a permanent pot belly.

My local Pilates has a beginner group which is full of old, larger, or unfit people. As they improve some move onto more challenging groups but it is a nice inclusive and friendly scene. I loved it..

If you are anywhere near the Waterside area of Hampshire, the NFDC leisure centres all do sessions called Body Balance which seem to combine Tia Chi, Yoga & Pilates. You could sign up for a free trial session.

I think yoga is a bit easier. Does anyone know how long before you can expect results?

It took me a little while to get my body back into alignment after spd, weight gain, c-section etc.

I ended up doing a mix of pilates and yoga, eventually settling for yoga, but the pilates was brilliant too. Only having straightened out my skeleton and strengthened out my core could I contemplate anything more vigorous (spinning sent me backwards!).

My parents (in their late 60s/early 70s) both do pilates. My mum swears by it for keeping her injury free.

Ignore those who say you have to be fit and skinny to go to pilates.

@tomatoplantproject great name! Thanks for your comments as well. I used to practice yoga but I twisted my knee doing too much (and I was skinny then so not weight related) so want to try something new. I also don't feel in the right head space for yoga at the moment I.e the meditation etc. I didn't have PND or anything but i just dont fancy the spiritual side of things at the moment!

I had an EMCS, SPD and was left with an abdominal diastasis big enough for the physio to put her fist in. I could hardly walk to the car with my newborn.

No, I wasn't able to go to the gym, or 'do cardio'. In fact, I won't be signed off from physio to do those things until I'm approx. 6 months postpartum. Pilates is slowly building my strength back up so that my pelvis will stay in the right place.

For people to continue to suggest that she do lots of cardio to 'shift a bit of weight' is ridiculous.

It will be great for your core so absolutely go for it but I'd combine it with some cardio to burn fat - something like spin. Good luck !

sorry just saw your last post! ok got it cardio is not for you now but pilates will be great to strengthen your inner core and my class has all shapes and sizes.

Pilates was developed as rehabilitation exercise by a dancer. Individual classes will vary, but generally it would be an excellent pathway for OP to regain her strength following pregnancy and birth. Then maybe, if she feels so inclined, she may feel ready to safely diversify her range of exercise with significantly reduced risk of injury.

I had SPD then difficult births, so exercise for me started with walking to the postbox and back (and retiring to bed to recover), then gradually strengthening up with postnatal classes and exercise videos which often have a lot of overlap with Pilates. Second time, it took me 4 months and an osteopath to stop limping due to the double weakness of persistent SPD and a bad tear. It took a lot of gentle building up to be able to participate in mainstream fitness classes. As I got fitter, I successfully lost the spare 50% of my bodyweight that I gained in 5 months because I became increasingly sedentary and trapped in the house with one of my few outings being a short stagger to a cafe for hot chocolate and cake, otherwise I was housebound and playing computer games most of the day as that's all I could handle in a pain ridden, sleep deprived numb-fingered state (thanks carpal tunnel syndrome). Reactivating my metabolism and returning to my usual fairly sustainable diet meant with a bit of patience my size returned to it's pre-pregnant state.

FWIW, at size 8-10, I can't touch my toes as I've always been very inflexible, unlike my very flexible yoga teacher (size 16-18 who can sit on her own head. Size isn't everything

Go for the pilates OP, Miaow and anyone else who feels it may be beneficial. Classes tend to be quite diverse in terms of age, build and ability. If one doesn't suit your needs, another will

@LondonNicki spinning is on my list for later on, never tried it!

@CaptWentworth I know how you feel I think I should have gone via physio but convinced myself I was fine and swimming would fix me so instead Pilates is my next idea! Hope you continue to improve

@Somewhat great comments thank you

All booked in for a few weeks time starting with a 1 to 1 session really looking forward to it. Oh and I lost 7 pounds this week so feeling pretty good about myself. Thanks for everyone's input xx